£200,000 event fund launched to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

Published:16:00Thursday 11 June 2015

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A brand new £200,000 events fund created to develop activity to celebrate Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design has been launched by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Applications are now open for the events and festivals sector across Scotland to apply for a 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design event grant up to £20,000.

From textiles to technology, architecture to fashion and design, the year-long programme of activity beginning on January 1 until December 31 2016, will shine the spotlight on Scotland’s greatest assets and icons, as well as its hidden gems.

Home to ground-breaking innovators, scientists, engineers, architects and designers for hundreds of years, Scotland will celebrate just some of these contributions during 2016, as well as showcasing the creative and innovative minds that continue to inspire and influence audiences across the globe and the modern world we live in today.

Supporting events from a minimum award of £4000 up to a maximum award of £20,000, the funding will be awarded to create new event activity or enhance existing event programmes which reflect the themes and support the objectives of the year, promoting Scotland, celebrating our achievements, encouraging participation and engagement and boosting tourism.

Minister for Tourism, Fergus Ewing, said: “From our first Year of Homecoming in 2009 to our current Year of Food and Drink, the people of Scotland and our visitors have had the opportunity to enjoy our most valuable and celebrated assets.

“To build on this momentum, the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund will be used to deliver a series of events that take place across the country and throughout the year to celebrate all that is great about Scotland.”

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: “2016 has been designated as a themed year in which Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design will be showcased and celebrated.

“Themed years give Scottish tourism an edge, galvanise partners and create a strong collaborative platform to promote Scotland and its valuable attributes.

“We are delighted to launch the dedicated 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund which will help deliver a programme of activity aimed at supporting and driving the nation’s tourism and events sector during this special year.”